Local numbers jump, but still low

By Donnie A. Lucas

Several new local positive cases of COVID-19 were reported over the past two weeks, with the total increasing to nine for Shackelford County.

The county is now using data provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services rather than relying solely on the tests administered by the two local health clinics.

The DSHS COVID-19 Dashboard was showing a total of 62 tests administered as of Wednesday, with nine positives.

According to a release made by county judge Robert Skelton, only three of the nine cases are still considered active, with the remainder classified as no longer being monitored.

Skelton is now receiving his data directly from Dr. Joel Massey in Arlington, the regional office for the DSHS.

“When we relied on just the two local clinics and their test results, we weren’t getting the full picture,” Skelton said. “We started getting credited for positive cases of residents in the county who were tested outside the county, which was confusing.”

The judge said that he is now reporting just the numbers given to him by the DSHS.

“If you just look on the dashboard at the DSHS website, those numbers are sometimes still behind what the regional office is reporting to us,” Skelton said. “There is some lag time there, but eventually tests and results for Shackelford County residents will be reported on the state website.”

Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide face covering requirement for residents while in public spaces in counties with 20 or more positive cases.

“Wearing a face covering in public is proving to be one of the most effective ways we have to slow the spread of COVID-19,” the governor said. “We have the ability to keep businesses open and move our economy forward so that Texas can continue to earn a paycheck, but it requires each of us to do our part to protect one another – and that means wearing a face covering.”

The governor also gave county judges and local mayors authority to limit outside gatherings of 10 or more at their discretion based on the severity of the virus in their areas.

Albany mayor Susan Montgomery is urging all residents to wear masks when out in public even though it has not yet been mandated for Albany or Shackelford County.

“Last week took a real toll on our county and the state as a whole,” she said. “Numbers spiked locally, as they did across the state.

Montgomery said that while the number of local positive cases is still small in comparison to much of the state, the situation continues to regress.

“This is very serious for us and the state,” she added. “We are definitely not where we thought we would be in July. We all have to be good citizens and be responsible to wear face coverings to curtail this and turn it around in the right direction.”

The mayor is concerned that the governor might have to reinstate more stringent restrictions on businesses if improvement isn’t seen soon.